Top News:
Henry Seltzer / Us Weekly:
NY Yankee Making Late-Night Visits to Madonna's Apartment — Us Weekly reports in its new issue, on newsstands tomorrow, that Madonna's seven-year marriage to Guy Ritchie has stalled out - and the singer has been hosting late-night visits from New York Yankee Alex Rodriguez at her Central Park West apartment in New York City.
Discussion:
Deadspin, Hot Stove New York, Big Apple Sports, The Big Lead, With Leather and Hugging Harold Reynolds
RELATED:
Mark Feinsand / NY Daily News:
A-Rod to skip HR Derby — Alex Rodriguez may be the American League's leading vote-getter for this year's All-Star Game, but the reigning MVP has no plans on making it a two-day event. — Even with the All-Star festivities taking place in his home ballpark, A-Rod said he would not participate …
Fox Sports:
Rumors: Is A-Rod Madonna's new bat boy? — by Staff report, New York Post — After months of divorce rumors swirling around Madonna and hubbie Guy Ritchie, Us magazine alleges that the nearly 50-year-old pop star is cavorting with Yankees' star swinger Alex Rodriguez.
Discussion:
Baseball & The Boogie Down
Brittany Ghiroli / MLB.com:
Percival, Maddon downplay exchange — Rays closer tweaks left hamstring, pulled with two outs in ninth — ST. PETERSBURG — The Rays' 5-4 victory on Monday was tempered by a growing concern for the health of Troy Percival. — The veteran closer entered the ninth inning with a 5-2 lead …
Discussion:
MetsBlog.com
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Associated Press:
Halladay handcuffs M's, tossing four-hitter for 10th career shutout — CBSSports.com wire reports — SEATTLE — Even with five complete games already this season, Roy Halladay had a lingering feeling that a little piece of his pitching was lacking. — He found what was missing, at least on Monday night.
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Ken Davidoff / Newsday:
Newsday baseball columnist Ken Davidoff plays hardball with musings …
Newsday baseball columnist Ken Davidoff plays hardball with musings …
Discussion:
Newsday
Patrick Sullivan / Baseball Analysts:
Dusty Baker Manages, Fails; Observes, Succeeds — It doesn't get much more painful for the keyboard-toting baseball enthusiast living in Mom's basement than the bottom half of the eighth inning of Monday night's Pittsburgh-Cincinnati game. Down 3-2, the Reds pieced together a walk and a single …
Discussion:
Walkoff Walk
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Michael Hiestand / USA Today:
Reynolds to return as baseball analyst for TBS — Harold Reynolds, off national TV since being fired by ESPN in July 2006, is back working on national TV. — Reynolds will debut Sunday as a studio analyst on a special where TBS will announce the All-Star Game rosters.
Tracy Ringolsby / Rocky Mountain News:
Rockies report: Fuentes, Holliday on the trading block? — Several clubs with scouts following the Rockies say indications they have been given are Colorado will decide at the All-Star break whether to deal players. And there are several players on the Rockies that teams are interested in.
Sports Illustrated:
Q&A with Derek Jeter … On Monday, Gillette announced Derek Jeter has joined their latest “Champions” campaign. The four-time World Series champion sat down with SI.com's Jimmy Traina after the event for the following Q&A. — SI.com: Now that you're Gillette's newest spokesperson …
David Murphy / Philly.com:
Now signed, Hewitt ready to deliver for Phillies — ATLANTA - As he waited at his family's home in Brooklyn, N.Y., for a couple of representatives from the Phillies scouting department to arrive and make his signing official, Anthony Hewitt had to fight the urge to hop a flight to Florida.
Discussion:
Phillies Nation
Dan Shaughnessy / Boston Globe:
This time, Manny being Manny is unacceptable — Push comes to shove — Manny Ramirez, Terry Francona, and David Ortiz respond to Ramirez's clubhouse incident with traveling secretary Jack McCormick. — What's up with Manny? Is the goofy slugger in need of some anger management?
Tim Dierkes / MLB Rumors:
GM Trade History: Brian Cashman — Next up in our GM Trade History series, the Yankees' Brian Cashman. Cash's current contract with the Yanks runs through this season. — Many thanks to Brendan Bianowicz for putting together Cashman's history, which can be downloaded as an Excel spreadsheet here.
Mychael Urban / MLB.com:
Chavez plans return for Angels opener — Oakland (44-37) at Los Angeles (49-33), Monday, 7:05 p.m. PT — OAKLAND — A day after saying he was “befuddled” and “concerned” regarding the sore right shoulder that forced him to sit out his team's weekend series against the Giants …
RELATED:
Joe Cowley / Chicago Sun Times:
Trade talks for Uribe could be heating up — It was almost as if Ozzie Guillen was starting to say goodbye. — Considering the talk going on behind closed doors concerning infielder Juan Uribe, maybe the White Sox manager was. — “The one thing I say about Juan, I have never had anyone …
Steve Lombardi / WasWatching.com:
THE LAST 10 GAMES — The Yankees have now played 10 games since they had a chance to beat up against the Astros and Padres. What have the Yankees done in these 10 games? — New York has gone 4-6. And, this was against teams such as the Reds, Pirates, Mets...and one game against the Rangers.